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#TN036

 #Summary   
Jumping screen cursor - when using Windows 2000 or XP the NMEA 183 data on the serial port might be detected as a serial mouse
Note:
This is a Microsoft operating  system problem


 #Problem  
Erratic mouse cursor movements - no NMEA data

#Solution  

A number of soultions are provided

General solutions

These work for all operating systems including Vista:

A. Start seaPro before switching on the NMEA serial device
By starting seaPro first, it will take over the serial port, so preventing the operating system from seeing the data as a serial mouse.
Note: You need to select the correct serial port in seaPro first

B. Disabling the incorrectly installed serial mouse
1. Once problem has occurred – switch off the NMEA device (don’t unplug anything)
2.  Start the Device Manager
3 Scroll down to the "Mice and other pointing devices," click the plus button to expand this list.
  You should see at least two items listed. One is your normal mouse, and the other will probably be listed as "Microsoft Serial Ball Point."
4. Select the "Microsoft Serial Ball Point" or the one that is clearly not your normal one and disable it (Right click and select disable).
5. Close the Device manager
6. Switch on your NMEA device again - Check no mouse movements.
7. Start seaPro

This has worked previously but is not a 100%

Alternatives work around’s include
1. Using a higher NMEA BAUD rate (then not seen as a serial mouse)
 - You will need to alter both the NMEA device (might not be possible)  and the seaPro serial port settings
or
2. Use a serial to TCP/IP (network) converter –
Once installed this can give a reliable means of connecting up your laptop etc, with only one network cable to connect or
you can even use a wireless Wifi connection

C. XP specific solutions
Following is provided from the Microsoft web site, as such Euronav is passing this information on in good faith.
(Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - Q131976) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q131976

This fix involves changes to operating system files, and carries the danger of making your computer perform incorrectly.

You are strongly advised to back up your computer before proceeding, if in doubt please consult a qualified  computer technician

Note: For XP only

For windows XP, try using the

/fastdetect:comnumber

Where comnumber is the required serial port

command instead of /NoSerialMice below. Ports may be separated with commas to turn off more than one port.
If you use /fastdetect, and do not specify a communications port, serial mouse detection is turned off on all communications ports.

To disable the detection of devices on COM ports in Windows NT/2000/XP:

  1. Make a backup copy of the Boot.ini file. (usually found in the C:\ driver route)

  2. Remove the hidden, system, and read-only attributes from the Boot.ini file.
    (use Windows explorer, and right click on file, then properties)

  3. Using a text editor (such as Notepad) open the Boot.ini file.
    (try double clicking on file)

  4. Add the /NoSerialMice option to the end of each entry in the [operating systems]
    section of Boot.ini. See the example below for more information.

  5. Save Boot.ini and quit Notepad.

  6. Restore the hidden, system, and read-only attributes to the Boot.ini file.

  7. Shutdown and restart Windows NT.

The following is a sample of the Boot.ini file:
 

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT35

[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT35="Windows NT Workstation
Version 3.51" /NoSerialMice

multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT35="Windows NT Workstation
Version 3.51 [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos /NoSerialMice 

NoSerialMice Syntax

/NoSerialMice - Disables the detection of serial mice on
all COM ports.

/NoSerialMice:COMx - Disables the detection of serial mice on
COM x, where x is the number of the port.

/NoSerialMice:COMx,y,z - Disables the detection of serial mice on
COM x, y and z.

NOTE: The /NoSerialMice option is not case sensitive.

If the above does not work try the following 'Disable offender technique'

1.Wait until the problem occurs

2.Unplug the NMEA input (not any USB/serial converters - just the data input)

3.Go into device manager then "Mice and other pointing devices".
It should show several different mice or pointing devices and you are
looking for the one that you don’t have - probably a Ballpoint mouse or
maybe a Serial mouse - right click the offender and choose "Properties"  

4.At the bottom of the properties box that appears, will be a “Device usage”
drop down list - select the “Do not use this device (disable)” choice.
The mouse that you have disabled will now appear on the Device Manager
list with a red X across it and you should have no more problems.


Note: Do not delete the device- otherwise it will be re-installed on next boot!

 

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